Nigeria has lost one of its finest patriots, Major General Abdullahi Mohammed (retd.), a man whose legacy runs deep in the nation’s political and military history. The former Chief of Staff to ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua reportedly passed away in Abuja around 1 a.m. on Wednesday at the age of 86. His death has been described as a major loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the entire country.
Born in 1939, the late Mohammed hailed from Ilorin, Kwara State. He trained at the prestigious Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, United Kingdom, and joined the Nigerian Army in 1958. Over the decades, he rose steadily through the ranks, earning respect as a disciplined, strategic, and deeply patriotic officer. His pivotal role in the 1975 coup that led to General Murtala Mohammed’s rise to power remains one of the most defining chapters of Nigeria’s military history.
During the Murtala-Obasanjo era, Mohammed was appointed as the Military Governor of Benue-Plateau State from 1975 to 1976, where he was widely praised for his integrity and leadership. Later, he became the Director-General of the National Security Organisation (NSO)—the precursor to today’s Department of State Services (DSS)—where he helped shape Nigeria’s modern intelligence framework.
After retiring from the army in 1979, General Mohammed transitioned into private life, managing Atoto Press Limited in Ilorin. However, his call to national service was far from over. In 1998, he was appointed National Security Adviser to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, guiding the nation during the delicate transition to democracy.
When Nigeria’s Fourth Republic began, Mohammed became Chief of Staff to President Olusegun Obasanjo and continued in that role under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua until 2008. Known for his quiet influence, diligence, and integrity, he was regarded as one of the most trusted aides in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) expressed deep sorrow over his passing, calling him a “patriot who fought to keep Nigeria united.” The union’s statement highlighted his many firsts—being the first son of Ilorin to serve as a state governor and the first to reach the rank of a two-star General.
Tributes have poured in from across the nation, including from President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Obasanjo and Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. All described him as a rare gem whose wisdom and integrity were needed now more than ever.
May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljanat Firdaus.
